Clamping device.



No. 642,568. Patented Feb. 6, I900.

F. ARTGs.

CLAMPING DEVICE.

Application filed July 10, 1899.)

(No Model.)

, Qmrencor 7 y yQM/W' "NrrETD STATES ATENT FFrc FREDERICK ARTOS, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, AS'SIGNOR TO CHRISTIAN SCHULTZ, OF SAME PLACE.

CLAMPING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 642,568, dated. February 6, 1900.

Application filed July 10, 1899. Serial No. 723,371. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that LFREDERIOK ARTos,a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin, have invented an 1111- proved Clamping Device, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to improvements in clamping devices, and particularly to that class of clamping devices which are adapted for use on ironing-boards, tablets for drawing or writing, supports for type-writing machines, and for other purposes where it is desired to have an adjustable folding device Whichcan be rigidly braced against a fixed object.

It consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the clamping-jaw. Fig. 2 is a side view of the clamping device applied to a folding tablet, the supporting-lever being shown partly in section to better illustrate the construction. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the clamping device. Fig. 4 is a rear end view of the clamping-jaw. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the same.

My apparatus comprises inits construction a clamping-jaw A, a supporting-lever B, provided with a foot-rest O, a metallic strip .9, secured to a tablet, and a brace-rod f, adapted to support the said tablet in conjunction with the other parts of the clamping device.

The clamping-jaw A is constructed on one side of an oblong-shaped level platform a, formed with an upwardly-extending partitionplate 6, said platform being adapted to be rigidly braced against the end of a table. The other side of the clamping-jaw A is formed with a base-plate b, which extends in the opposite direction to the said platform a and is provided with a slightlydownwardly extending projection, which conforms to the contour of the upper edge of the supporting-lever B. The base-plate 1) curves upwardly at its rear to form in its center part of the partitionplate 6 and at its ends to form bearings c, between which is adapted to be inserted one end of a strip of metal 8, also formed into a bean ing, and a pin is adapted to be passed through the bearings c and the bearing on the end of the strip of metal, so as to form a complete hinge. The said strip of metal is attached to the under side of a tablet or other similar article and forms at its other end one member of another hinge, said hinge being secured to a swinging brace-rod f by means of a bolt or rivet, which brace-rod is adapted to engage the supporting-lever in such a manner, as will be hereinafter described, that the clamping-jaw will be aided in performing its function and the pressure upon the said parts will be easily sustained. With this purpose in view I form the upper end of the said lever so as to conform to the shape of the projection on the base-plate b of the clampingj aw A and also so as to fit in between a pair of shoulder-plates h, projecting downwardly from the platform a. The said supporting-lever may be of wood or other suitable material and of such a length that its lower end may rest on the floor. The supporting-lever is provided with an adjustable foot-rest 0, preferably a wooden board of suitable size, carrying at the center of its upper end portion k an upwardly-extending rack-bar Z, which is provided near its upper end with a slotted opening 0, through which a clamping-screw is passed to retain the said rack-bar in position. The rack-bar is secured at its lower end to the foot-rest O by a screw. The foot-rest is provided with a slotted openingp of the same size as the opening 0, through Which a large thumb-screw r is passed to permit the foot-rest being adjusted to difierent heights. The lower end of the swinging brace-rod f when in engagement with the rackbar bears against the supporting-lever and the metallic strip .9, and consequently holds the tablet or similar support D in operative position, the rear end of the said tablet resting on the table L for a small portion of its length. The construction of the clamping-jaw A is such that an open space, as 25, will be left between the end of the table L and the hinge formed by the bearings on the said jaw and on the end of the metallic strip for a purpose as will now be described.

The clamping-j aw A is held rigidly against the table L by the supporting-lever, and to remove the apparatus from the same it is only necessary to lift the tablet bya sudden jerk, in consequence of which the upper edge u of the said table is forced in the above-mentioned open space i by the tilting motion of the tablet and the brace-rod f will be dislodged by gravity from its hold upon the rackbar Z, leaving the released structure to be easily removed and folded together.

It will be seen from the above description that my device is simple in construction and yet effective in operation and may be easily attached and detached to any table or support.

Having now described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Aclamping device comprising in its construction, a clamping-jaw formed of a single piece of metal, a metallic strip connected to the said jaw, at one end, a brace-rod pivotally secured to the said metallic strip at its other end, a supporting-lever secured to the said jaw, an adjustable foot-rest mounted oii the said lever, and means provided on the said lever for supporting the brace-rod, substantially as described.

2. A clamping device comprising in its construction, a clamping-jaw adapted to be rigidly braced against the end of a table, a supporting-lever secured to the said jaw, a footrest adjustably secured to the said lever, a rack-bar secured to the center of the said foot-rest and to the lever, a brace-rod adapted to en gage the rack-bar, said brace-rod being secured to a metallic strip connected at one end to the clamping-jaw, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have set my hand hereunto in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK ARTOS. lVitnesses:

EMIL LEOHER, CHAS. R. BEECK. 

